The 25-year franchise granted to Hapi Jockey Club Inc. (HJCI) under Republic Act 11649 officially took effect on March 29, 2022, after President Duterte signed it into law on March 81. The law gives HJCI the right to construct, operate and maintain racetracks for horse racing in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Cavite1.
The franchise covers a 50-hectare thoroughbred racing complex in Padre Garcia, Batangas, where HJCI held a groundbreaking on May 3, 20221. The event drew HJCI incorporators, racehorse owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys, along with officials from the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom), the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and local executives from Padre Garcia and Batangas province1.
HJCI treasurer and director Elmer de Leon said the club had engaged Trackmaster USA to design the main track and a separate exercise track1:
"We are committed to immediately begin construction of a one-mile twin oval racetrack that will at best be suitable and safe for our prized racehorses. Toward this end, we have secured the services of Trackmaster USA for the design of the main track as well as a separate exercise track that will be the centerpiece of the new racing complex."
The site sits near the Lipa, Balete or San Jose-Ibaan Star Tollway exits via P. Torres St. (Lipa-Padre Garcia Road) and is adjacent to Lipa City, described as the country's horse breeding capital and home to most of its foremost thoroughbred breeding farms1. HJCI president and director Raymund Puyat said the club was "hitting the ground running" after the franchise cleared both Houses of Congress and the Office of the President1. HJCI chairman Oliver "Jojo" Velasquez said the track would be managed by industry stakeholders and professionals1.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Law | Republic Act 11649 |
| Signed | March 8 by President Duterte1 |
| Took effect | March 291 |
| Term | 25 years1 |
| Covered provinces | Batangas, Laguna, Cavite1 |
| Site | 50-hectare complex, Padre Garcia, Batangas1 |
| Groundbreaking | May 31 |
What it means for players
The franchise creates a new licensed operator for horse racing in three provinces south of Metro Manila, but it does not by itself change where betting is currently offered. No opening date for the Padre Garcia complex, no schedule of race meetings and no details of betting products or pari-mutuel arrangements have been reported1. Until the track is built and licensed to stage races, players in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite have no new venue to attend and no new pool to bet into1. The law's scope is limited to racetracks for horse racing in those three provinces, and the report does not say whether it covers off-track or online betting1. For general background on how gambling in the Philippines is licensed and regulated, see the linked guide.
What happens next
Construction of the one-mile twin oval track and a separate exercise track is to begin, with Trackmaster USA handling the design1. No completion date, licensing timetable or first race date has been reported1.
Sources1 sources
- Modern racetrack to rise in Padre Garcia | Philstar.com, philstar.com
